TAHLEQUAH – Trey Phipps and Ethan Blackmon each scored 22 points as Northeastern State stormed back in the second half to defeat Pittsburg State 71-66 on Thursday night at the NSU Event Center.

Trailing 41-27 at halftime, the RiverHawks (12-7, 6-4 Mid-America Intercollegiate) flipped the script after the break, outscoring the Gorillas 44-25 in the final 20 minutes. Phipps was instrumental in the comeback, knocking down two three-pointers and going a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line. Blackmon added six rebounds to his stat line while converting on 7-of-12 field goals and 8-of-9 from the stripe.

Bryson Smith contributed 15 points, hitting 5-of-8 shots, while Keon Edwards and Jaxon Jones combined for nine rebounds to help Northeastern State dominate the glass in the second half. The RiverHawks shot 47.8% from the field and converted 23-of-24 free throws to seal the win.

Pittsburg State (10-9, 6-4 MIAA) was led by Johannes Kirsipuu's 21 points, including three three-pointers. Tanner Mans added 14 points and seven rebounds, while Tane Prictor chipped in 11 points before fouling out late. The Gorillas shot 50.9% in the first half but struggled to find their rhythm after the break, committing 10 turnovers in the game.

The RiverHawks completed the season sweep of the Gorillas and have won five of its past six against Pitt. 

"It's been a tough week; I'm really proud of the way they fought," said head coach Ja Havens.  "It didn't start the way we wanted, it wasn't going well.  They stuck with it and fought and didn't give in.  We finally caught them [Pittsburg State] and made a few stops when we needed to.  Give our guys a ton of credit for making the plays we need to win that one."

Northeastern State returns to action on Saturday as they host Missouri Southern.